"Every one of the hundred million Arabs has been living ... to see the day Israel
is liquidated"

Cairo Radio’s Voice of the Arabs broadcast,
May 18th 1967.

Personal recollections from the Diaspora

I was 18 years old and had never really considered my Jewishness.
I lived in Westcliff-on-Sea, which had a decent sized Jewish community but
I pretty much took it for granted. I went to a Catholic grammar school,
was allowed out Friday nights, dated non-Jews and then, on June 2, the whole
family went to London to see Topol in Fiddler on the Roof. That was when
I discovered my identity and went to Rex House to sign up as a volunteer.
My parents didn't understand the change in me but I remember they were so
proud and supportive. I don't remember being afraid at all but had the romantic
notion that "I would die for my country".

I was then glued to the TV until I finally flew out on
June 20th, with a planeload of other kids from all over the UK. We were
taken on a day trip to Yad Vashem and I wasn't the only one who knew so
little about our heritage. There were Jewish boys who had never been Bar
Mitzvah, let alone went to cheder, and I think it was a Rite of Passage
for many of us.

The seed was sown and my pride in my Jewish heritage continues
to grow. I spent 4 months that time, working on kibbutzim and in an army
reservist camp. The Israelis were wonderful and so grateful for our presence.
I imagine it must have been like Londoners during the Blitz. Everyone came
together and helped each other. I was unaware that there were different
types of Jews and different social classes. Everyone was equal with one
ultimate goal - to live in peace. I went back to Israel as a volunteer two
more times and always had that feeling of belonging.

We have made every effort to give full accreditation and endeavoured to ensure
that copyright has been respected. If you feel that your copyright has been
infringed by any material here please advise us and we will immediately
remove it.